The Church Defined: Part 3 - Tough Love

March 9th, 2025

MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
March 09, 2025

Sermon Page
YouVersion
Sermon Slides
Podcast Audio
_____________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OneLife Students, United Night Bonfire - March 26th
Wednesday night, March 26th, our middle & high school students from both campuses will be coming together for a United Night Bonfire. There will be games, student led worship, and a great message from our Student Director Matt. It will take place at the East Campus at 6:30pm and we will wrap up at 8:15pm. The Gohan food truck will be onsite, so students make sure to bring cash for food! For more information mark the OneLife Students box on the Connection Card.

Student Life Camp, June 16-20, 2025
OneLife Students is going back to Student Life Camp this Summer and this year we are heading to the beach! This is going to be a great experience where your student will get to grow closer to God, their small groups, and their leaders! The dates are June 16th - 20th. Visit onelifeknox.com/camp for more information and to register! Also, if you are interested in sponsoring a student for camp simply write sponsor on your connection card.

Child Dedications, March 16th
The partnership between parents and the Church is vital to families! A few times each year we encourage our families with younger children to commit to this partnership publicly through a special child dedication service. Our next child dedication service will take place in March. There is a parent meeting today, March 2nd during the 9:00am service at the North Campus and at 11:15 at the East Campus. Child Dedications will take place after the last service on March 16th at both campuses. For more information or to sign up, go to onelifeknox.com/chidldedications or mark the Child Dedications box on your Connection Card.
--------------------------------------

RightNow Media
If you have ever wanted to grow in your walk with Jesus but weren’t sure where to start then we have a great resource for you. RightNow Media has over 25,000 biblically-based videos for small groups, families, students, leadership development, and much more. Our subscription allows us to share this resource with you free of charge. You can download the app on Roku and Apple TV as well as access their website at rightnowmedia.com. To sign up simply write “RightNow Media'' as well as your email address on your connection card and we will send you a link.

Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.

_____________________

GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________

Bottom Line: Sometimes love is tough and kindness hurts.

Matthew 18:15-17 NIV

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

1. The church has to deal with sin in the church.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 NIV

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.

2. Leaders are held to a higher standard.

1 Corinthians 5:5 NIV

Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NIV

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

Titus 3:10 NIV

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.

3. Church discipline withholds the benefits of community from the unrepentant person.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 NIRV

Don’t believe a charge against an elder unless two or three witnesses bring it. But those elders who are sinning should be corrected in front of everyone. This will be a warning to the others.

4. Church discipline protects the church.

1 Corinthians 5:5 NIV

Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Matthew 18:15 NIV

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

5. Church discipline wins the person back.

-----------------------------------------------------------

START TALKING

When you were growing up, what type of discipline was most effective to help you learn? What about it that you hated then are you thankful for now?

When you see someone who doesn't discipline their children when it obvious that they need it, what do you think about those parents? Does it really seem all that loving?

START THINKING

Read Matthew 18:15-17.

What are the steps to confronting sin outlined in this teaching by Jesus, summed up in your own words? Which of these do you think are most difficult for people to do?

Read Luke 15:11-24.

What does this story teach about why it is important to not chase after those who are in sin? How do you see love and kindness in the way the Father allows the son to experience the effects of sin?

START SHARING

Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 and Titus 3:10.
Why do you struggle to do what these scriptures so plainly teach we must do for those among us who refuse to be corrected and repent? What excuses do you find yourself making as to why you don't have to do what this teaches or why you might be the exception?

How can we ensure that following this is truly to win the person back and not just seeking vengeance?

START DOING
Read Proverbs 15:31-32.
Turn this conversation around and make it personal: what do you need to do to be sure that you are open to correction, admitting that you are not perfect and will need the church to love you in this way from time to time?

START PRAYING
Pray for each of us in the micro church to obey these teachings on both sides of the issue - both when I need to be corrected and when I need to love someone enough to help them see where they are missing the mark of God's plan and will for them.
_______________________________

CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________

MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________

WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?

Posted in Micro Church Guides